- Date
- April 27, 2018, 10:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place
- Hood River, OR
- Injuries
- 2 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Takeoff
- Aircraft
- N844FCL-Bird CCX-2000
- Defining event
- Takeoff: Runway excursion
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 24, 2018
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office
- General Aviation Accidents
- Parties
- FAA
- FAA report
- 20180427004229A
- Case key
- 97125
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
The pilot’s decision to take off in gusting wind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control.
Findings · 4
NTSB’s coded findings. Those marked are part of the probable cause; the rest are factors or other findings. Under each, the cases with the same finding.
Sequence of events
The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event is the one that best describes the accident. Under each, the cases with the same event anywhere in their sequence.
Analysis
The pilot reported that, during takeoff, the experimental, amateur-built airplane encountered a right crosswind. The pilot applied right aileron and right rudder, but the airplane rolled to the left. The left wing struck the ground, and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The left wing struck a runway light, and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the engine mounts. The METAR at the airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 9 knots, gusting to 22 knots. The wind direction was reported as variable between 230° and 320°. The pilot attempted to take off from runway 25. In the recommendation section of the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented by choosing to cancel the flight due to high-wind conditions. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Factual narrative
The pilot reported that during takeoff, the experimental amateur-built airplane encountered a right crosswind. The pilot applied right aileron and right rudder, but the airplane rolled to the left. The left wing struck the ground and the airplane departed the left side of the runway. The left wing struck a runway light and the airplane cartwheeled before coming to rest upright. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings and the engine mounts. The METAR at the airport reported that about the time of the accident, the wind was from 290° at 9 knots and gusting to 22 knots. The wind direction was reported as variable between 230° and 320°. The pilot attempted to takeoff on runway 25. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, in the Recommendation section the pilot reported that this accident could have been prevented by making the choice to cancel the flight due to high wind conditions. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N844FC
- Reported as
- L-Bird CCX-2000 (NO SERIES)
- Category
- Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number
- CCX-2000-0016
- Built
- 2017
- Airframe hours
- 62.7
- Engine
- Superior/Aero Sport Power CC363i-1001, 186 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work use · Part 91
- Operator
- L-Bird LLC
- Registered owner
- L-Bird LLC
- Airworthiness certificate
- Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection
- Condition · September 28, 2017
- Departed
- 4S2 · Hood River, OR
- Destination
- 4S2 · Hood River, OR
- Airport
- 4S2 · Ken Jernstedt Airfield, runway 25, 3,040 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment
- ADS-B, Angle of attack indicator, Auto-pilot, Electronic primary flight display, Onboard weather, Stall warning system
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 33
- Injuries
- None
- Certificates
- Flight instructor, Commercial
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine sea, Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
- Instrument ratings
- Airplane
- Medical
- Class 2, Without waivers/limitations
- Last flight review
- June 9, 2016
- Seat
- Front
- Restraint
- 4-point
- Flight hours
- 1,250 total · 7 in this make and model · 800 as pilot in command · 64 in the last 90 days · 48 in the last 30 days
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 290° at 9 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility
- 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 57 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter
- 29.87 inHg
- Observed at
- K4S2
Docket · 2
The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 4, 2018, on NTSB’s docket system: statements, records, photos and specialists’ reports. 4.4 MB in all.
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.